A FORMER England international footballer hoping to net funds for children's charities in memory of his son.

Colin Cooper, the veteran Middlesbrough defender, who is the club's new reserve team coach, says all proceeds from his benefit match with Chievo Verona on Saturday will go to charities and other good causes.

Cooper insisted that all income, including gate receipts and hospitality proceeds, go to help others.

"This is my chance to show that football is not all about taking," said the 39-year-old, who expects to play his final senior match against the Italian visitors at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

As he laces up his boots, he will be particularly thinking of his two-year-old son, Finlay, who choked to death after swallowing a screw from a toy in January 2002.

Cooper said: "The people of Middlesbrough have been good to me. Football has been good to me. Now this is my opportunity to do some good in return."

He and wife, Julie, have set up the Finlay Cooper Fund in memory of the toddler.

"This fund is in Finlay's name, and Julie and I think it only right a lot of the proceeds should go to helping children in the local area," he said.

"We have always been a strong family and, because of what happened to Finlay, the people we want to help most are children. The idea of the fund is that it is not just for today - monies will be retained to help children and others in the future."

One of the organisations to benefit will be Middlesbrough's Butterwick Children's Hospice, which cares for terminally-ill youngsters. Others to benefit from Saturday's match will include Teesside Hospice, St Michael's Hospice, in Harrogate, and St Mary's Church in the Coopers' home village of Goldsborough, North Yorkshire.

Tickets for the match are on sale from the Boro ticket office, priced £10 adults and £5 for under-16 over-65.

Fans can also buy them online at mfc.co.uk, and by phone through Ticketmaster on 0845 070 1575.

The club plans to initially open the North and East stands, selling tickets from the centre of each stand. It will not be possible for season ticket holders to buy their usual match day seats on this occasion. Kick-off is 3pm